The Italian Job Part Nine

Butthey brighten up once they’ve taken our money, and direct us to the old pass.There are now two routes: the old cobbled Roman road and the supersmooth wide highway that straddles the mountain on concrete stilts, still relatively clear of tourist coaches. Other than cyclists and bikers, few use the narrow road, its granite setts still in super condition on the Trembling Valley section, and the GTV’s supple suspension copes admirably, the well-located live axle hopping around over the pave. Here, too, that superb action of the gearbox, encouraged by essential double declutch blips of the throtde just for effect, is a joy to work up the endless hairpins to the summit. Better still, the 2-litre’s extra grunt is perfect for this magnificent climb. You never cease to wonder at the road’s remarkable construction that dates back to the 13 th century.After a welcome espresso at the top and admiring the dramatic monuments including a statue to the mysterious Russian colonel Alexander.